Updated: Wales' unemployment figures fall - slightly

The unemployment rate for women aged 16-plus remains higher than for men, at 8.5% compared to 8%.

The latest jobs figures shows a slight fall in the unemployment rate in Wales and a larger decrease across the UK.

A Welsh unemployment rate of 8.2% was recorded for the 16-plus age group for the period July-September, down 0.4 percentage points on April-June. For the 16-64 age group a fall from 8.7% to 8.4% was recorded.

Across the UK, 16-plus unemployment fell to 7.8% from 8%.

The employment rate in Wales for the 16-plus group went up by and the economic inactivity rate went down, by 0.4 and 0.2 percentage points respectively. A total of 121,000 were recorded as unemployed, down 5,000 on the previous three month period. The number in employment has gone up by 13,000 to approximately 1.4 million people.

The unemployment rate for women aged 16-plus remains higher than for men, at 8.5% compared to 8%.

For women, this represents an increase of 0.3 points on the quarter and 1.5 on the year. In contrast, men have seen their unemployment rate go down by 0.9 points on the quarter and 3.4 points on the year.

Men have seen a significant improvement since July-September 2011 when unemployment hit 11.4%.

Across the UK, the unemployment rate is highest in the North East (9.8% and lowest in the South West (5.8%).

Welsh Secretary David Jones said: “The latest employment statistics demonstrate that the Welsh economy is improving. It is performing better than other parts of the UK, with an extra 13,000 people in employment in Wales over the last quarter, and an extra 34,000 over the last year.

It is clear that the private sector is beginning to drive growth in Wales. I know that the investment by Japanese technology firm Hitachi Ltd in a new nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey has been welcomed widely and demonstrates that Wales is a good place to invest.

“Another month of improved employment statistics shows that this Government is setting the conditions for growth and that we are beginning to see the benefits. Of course, there is still much to do and we are not complacent.

“However, these figures show. We were right to stabilise the country’s economy by focusing on cutting the deficit and allowing businesses greater freedom to develop.”

Neil Carberry, CBI Director for Employment and Skills, commented on the UK picture, saying: “It’s encouraging that people are continuing to find jobs and that the unemployment rate is falling. But progress on getting people into work is much slower than we saw earlier in the year, and last month there was a troubling rise in the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

“Youth unemployment remains a concern despite the recent fall in overall numbers. Our focus should be on helping young people build the skills and aptitudes needed to get on in life and work.”

Lib Dem AM Eluned Parrott said: “This is clearly good news. Together with the recent GDP figures, these are signs that the economy is healing, but there must be no room for complacency.”

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